Copter companies in hog heaven with new law

‘Pork chopper bill' has copter owners gearing up for hunting boom.

Updated 8:27 am, Friday, June 24, 2011

Photo: JERRY LARA, San Antonio Express-News

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Jimmy Meyer flies with his brother, Joseph Meyers, of Flying J Services, flies over a farmer's field in search of feral hogs in Atascosa County. Meyers is hired by farmers to eliminate the feral hog population which cause high amounts of crop loss.

Jimmy Meyer flies with his brother, Joseph Meyers, of Flying J Services, flies over a farmer's field in search of feral hogs in Atascosa County. Meyers is hired by farmers to eliminate the feral hog population

Feral hogs runs through a farm in Atascosa County. Joseph Meyer, of Flying J Services, is hired by farmers to eliminate the feral hog population and hunts them from his helicopter. JERRY LARA/glara@express-news.net

Joseph Meyer, of Flying J Services, cleans the windshield of his helicopter as he prepares to fly over a farmer's field in search of feral hogs in Atascosa County.

Joseph Meyer, of Flying J Services, cleans the windshield of his helicopter as he prepares to fly over a farmer's field in search of feral hogs in Atascosa County.

Photo: JERRY LARA, San Antonio Express-News

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Joseph Meyer, of Flying J Services, center, prepares one of his helicopter before flying over farmer's field in search of feral hogs in Atascosa County. On the left is his son, Justin Meyers and his brother, Jimmy Meyers is on the right.

Joseph Meyer, of Flying J Services, center, prepares one of his helicopter before flying over farmer's field in search of feral hogs in Atascosa County. On the left is his son, Justin Meyers and his brother,

The female feral hog and her piglets are caught in the act of rooting up a grass bank in western Bexar County shortly before midnight through the use of a Bushnell Trophy Cam game camera set up to watch over an area frequented by the hogs.

The female feral hog and her piglets are caught in the act of rooting up a grass bank in western Bexar County shortly before midnight through the use of a Bushnell Trophy Cam game camera set up to watch over an

Tyler Campbell, a Department of Agriculture wildlife biologist working on wild hog controls, examines a boar wearing a satellite-tracking system collar as part of behavioral studies researchers are conducting on the animal. The hog was trapped on the Welder Wildlife Refuge near Sinton.

Tyler Campbell, a Department of Agriculture wildlife biologist working on wild hog controls, examines a boar wearing a satellite-tracking system collar as part of behavioral studies researchers are conducting

Feral hogs are probably the most destructive wild animals in the state and one Texas researcher had hoped to slow their rapid reproduction with a birth control pill, but that hasn't worked out well.

Feral hogs are probably the most destructive wild animals in the state and one Texas researcher had hoped to slow their rapid reproduction with a birth control pill, but that hasn't worked out well.

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J.D. Flores stands by a cage containing a hog that he trapped at the Briggs Ranch golf course. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.net

J.D. Flores stands by a cage containing a hog that he trapped at the Briggs Ranch golf course. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.net

Photo: BILLY CALZADA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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A yard outside a Kingsville-area home exhibits damage from wild hogs rooting for insects and other food. The hog problem has spread across Texas, causing increasing hardships for residents in urbanized areas.

A yard outside a Kingsville-area home exhibits damage from wild hogs rooting for insects and other food. The hog problem has spread across Texas, causing increasing hardships for residents in urbanized areas.

Photo: COURTESY PHOTO

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Feral hogs can dominate use of wildlife feeders, preventing deer and other wildlife from accessing the supplemental food. A recent Texas study indicates inexpensive, low wire-mesh fencing around the feeder can greatly reduce hog access without restricting deer visits.

Feral hogs can dominate use of wildlife feeders, preventing deer and other wildlife from accessing the supplemental food. A recent Texas study indicates inexpensive, low wire-mesh fencing around the feeder can

Young feral hogs and sows are often targeted by hunters for the quality of their meat, though usually not ones quite this small.

Young feral hogs and sows are often targeted by hunters for the quality of their meat, though usually not ones quite this small.

Photo: LARRY BOZKA, SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

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J.D. Flores examines a patch of grass at Briggs Ranch, measuring about 30 yards long and 15 yards wide, that was torn up by feral hogs. The hogs do thousands of dollars in damage to golf courses.

J.D. Flores examines a patch of grass at Briggs Ranch, measuring about 30 yards long and 15 yards wide, that was torn up by feral hogs. The hogs do thousands of dollars in damage to golf courses.

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Two feral hogs search for food around one of the devices scientists are testing in the search for a poison-delivery system that they hope will reduce the number of wild hogs across the country. Researchers said the cone on this device on a wildlife refuge near Sinton can be slid up only by hogs, keeping other animals from getting at bait – and eventually poison - underneath the cone. The system is still years from certification.

Two feral hogs search for food around one of the devices scientists are testing in the search for a poison-delivery system that they hope will reduce the number of wild hogs across the country. Researchers said

New legislation aimed at reducing Texas' massive feral hog population also is expected to put some sizzle in the state's helicopter services sector and create a new breed of hunter-tourist.

The legislation, nicknamed the “pork chopper bill,” will allow hunters to pay landowners and helicopter companies for the thrill of climbing aboard a helicopter to shoot and kill feral hogs and coyotes.

In a hunting-crazed state like Texas, it is expected to draw sizeable interest, which could keep the copters flying more often than they did before.

Previously, landowners were prohibited from accepting payment from hunters to shoot the beasts from the air. The legislation has been signed by the governor and will take effect Sept. 1.

Helicopter companies in the state are gearing up to handle the new business.

“I've had people contact me from Alaska who want to come down to do it,” said Dustin Johnson, owner of Cedar Ridge Aviation in Knox City in North Texas. He plans to charge $600 an hour per person, but that hasn't tempered interest.

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“It's definitely going to boost business,” said Mike Morgan, president of Vertex Helicopters in Houston, who could add two copters to his fleet because of the anticipated growth. “We get 10-15 calls about it a day at times.”

Joseph Meyer, owner of Flying J Services in Jourdanton, was more reserved about the outlook. While he expects his business to grow by about 20 percent, liability and cost issues associated with the new service could keep it from booming, he said.

“It's going to help the farmers more than it's going to help our industry,” Meyer said.

Texas has the biggest feral hog infestation in the country, with close to 2.8 million hogs and they are reproducing rapidly, wildlife officials said. The hogs use their noses to root up fields, destroy fences and tear down crops. They also have attacked fawns and other vulnerable animals.

Studies suggest the wild pigs could be responsible for more than $520 million in agricultural damage a year in Texas.

“I hope there is huge demand,” said state Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, who authored the legislation. He is also a rancher and has experienced the damage that hogs and coyotes create. “The whole purpose is to get rid of the hogs.”

While the new law will open up the sector to hunters, officials took pains to keep the activity from being viewed as a sporting hunt, which is disallowed by federal law when aircraft are involved. The state currently authorizes aerial hunting of pigs only to control the damage they do to property, an exception allowed in law. The new legislation retains that limitation.

But helicopter operators are concerned about collateral damage that could result from the new legislation: damage to the aircraft themselves.

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With hunters unaccustomed to shooting from aircraft, the copters themselves could be shot and even taken down by an irresponsible gunman. Some companies are setting up safety courses for their new hunting customers to go through to reduce risks.

Vertex, for instance, has established a full-day training course costing $350 that all of its hunters will be required to take on aerial hunting safety.

“We don't want any Joe off the street jumping into my aircraft and starting shooting without some kind of training,” said Morgan. “I want everyone we send out to come back home safely.”